SCHOOLS: AP coursework offers challenge, college credit

Throughout high school, a student knows that the material and classes get sequentially harder. But some brave and daring students choose to go the distance and take even more rigorous classes. AP classes, advanced placement, are college-level classes that give students an opportunity to earn college credit if they pass the AP exam. Earning college credits in high school saves time, money, and allows students to challenge themselves.

Wasilla High offers 13 AP classes spanning the curriculum math to science to history to the humanities. Students tend to favor AP Literature and AP world history classes to test out the advanced coursework waters.

As of 2017, WHS’s AP courses enroll 150 students, an increase of 58 students from 2016. English literature has 54 students, Calculus AB/BC has 22 students, and Computer Science Principles (CS50) has 32 students. However, there are smaller AP classes: Environmental Science with nine students and Studio Art with six.

AP instructors need to be highly qualified in their area and submit a multiple page syllabus to the College Board for approval before they can begin teaching any AP course. AP training is made available for teachers at different times of the year. It is not mandatory for teachers to attend AP training or certification, however, the Wasilla High AP teachers have received additional training.

WHS Guidance Counselor Kim Troisi said that because of budget cuts it is hard to keep certain AP classes if too few students register for them. “We have talked about offering them [AP classes] alternating years so that students still have the opportunity to take more of them,” Troisi said.

Some benefits of AP classes, aside from earning college credits, are boosting a student’s grade-point average and class rank. Troisi thinks that most students are more focused on improving their GPA and are less focused on earning college credits.

AP Biology and AP Chemistry teacher Melinda Ragsdale believes that since AP classes are more challenging, they require more dedication and drive from students than perhaps a non-AP course.

“I teach coping mechanisms, and I teach kids where to find the information on their own,” Ragsdale said.

Ragdale enjoys teaching AP classes because of the small class sizes and the depth of the subject matter. One common trait that successful AP students need and have the ability to understand how they learn and the tenacity to work hard to make sure that they comprehend the content.

Ragsdale said that students’ number one goal should not be to pass the test. The tests are designed to be extremely hard, and passing isn’t guaranteed. However, in an AP class, without studying and doing all of the work, chances of passing either class or test are much less than in a non- AP course.

But an important misconception is that AP classes are only for college-bound students. “It doesn’t matter what you do with your life, the better you are at critical thinking, the better you are as a person and at navigating life,” Ragsdale said.

Although college credit may be a huge incentive for taking AP classes, it’s not guaranteed. College credit is only received when the AP exam earns with a 3 or higher on a 5 point scale. This leads to a bigger question. What is the goal of an AP class? Is the success of the class measured by the passing of the exam or the improved learning of difficult material?

AP Literature teacher Amber Rinella believes that an AP class should focus primarily on the students’ comprehension of the course work. “ I think the philosophy of an AP classroom should be to provide lots of students with a rigorous opportunity to learn engaging content, “ Rinella said. Rinella believes that even if a student doesn’t receive college credit, hopefully students will be able to say that they are glad that they have taken the class.

AP students tend to come from two parent homes with stable incomes. So, Rinella also said that she would like to see more of an opportunity give to students from one parent homes.

Assistant Principal Jason Moen believes that the goal of AP classes should be to help the student accomplish their specific goal. If the student’s ambition is to pass the test and earn credit, then the teacher should do all he can do facilitate that. If the student wants to become an independent learner and tackle harder curriculum, then that should be the goal for the class.

The District’s goal for AP in all high schools is to increase the number of students in AP and increase the equity in demographics. This is a shift from the exam focus to the focus of intense curriculum for all, with close attention to minorities and low socioeconomic students. The District also wants freshmen and sophomores exposed to more AP style instruction, which includes increasing AP training for all teachers in the high schools. (The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) took place for teachers in 2013-16 for this objective.)

There are few strategies the District uses to steer students toward AP classes including Accuplacer and applying universal AP skills. But in general, the best way to have more students take AP classes is through word of mouth and teacher encouragement.

AP course work, with an exam or not, is good for the transcript. Colleges and businesses alike look favorably on students who show that they were willing to challenge themselves and risk failure. This is also a motivating factor for students.

AP exams are costly, $90 for each exam. The fee is refundable if the student passes with an extra $10. AP teachers receive $100 for each passed exam, too. So, both teacher and student are motivated with that incentive. AP exams occur at the end of the semester and are administered by the College Board.

Being in multiple AP classes, students learn a variety of skills separately that all come together effectively in the end. For instance, writing a strong thesis statement in AP Literature may be different from what is needed for in AP U.S. History, but the writing skills become so improved overall, that both classes benefit from the skill.

WHS Junior and AP student Chantel Lovell said that AP classes can be a bit of a hassle when studying. “You have to spend more time studying, and there’s more to cover for each test than most students are used to,” Lovell said. Lovell also said that taking AP classes give students the chance to find out their career path based on the classes they enjoy. And the last tip, she added, for success in an AP class is to always communicate with your teacher.

Janee Wilson is a student at Wasilla High School